Trade Group Urges Agreements with S. Korea, Colombia

National Foreign Trade Council ties international trade agenda to security.

 

The National Foreign Trade Council on June 15 urged the Obama Administration to move forward on the international trade agenda outlined by U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk in a recent speech before U.S. business community leaders.

 

The NFTC recommended that the Administration use South Korean President Lee Myung-bak’s visit to Washington on June 16 and Colombian President Alvaro Uribe’s visit at the end of June as opportunities to find a path forward on free trade agreements with both nations.

 

“The pending free trade agreements are more than just economic pacts; they are an integral part of U.S. diplomacy and are critical to our national security interests,” said NFTC President Bill Reinsch. “Colombia and South Korea are two of America’s most important democratic allies in difficult regions of the world. Maintaining strong relations with both nations is critical to ensuring political stability and security in East Asia and Latin America.

 

(Source:Journal of Commerce)